April 19, 2009 - Soap Box Derby and Healthy Kids Day

Triunfo YMCA Announces 2009 Soap Box Derby and Healthy Kids Day

• Soap Box races again open to the public to enter
• Healthy Kids Day to promote healthy living for the children
• Antique and Classic Car Show with community participation
• Boy Scout BBQ, attractions for the whole family, and more
  

Triunfo YMCA has announced the return of Soap Box Derby and Healthy Kids Day in Westlake Village. Sponsored by the City of Westlake Village, Farmers Insurance, and others, the event is set for Sunday, April 19th, 2009.

The Soap Box Derby is being held alongside Healthy Kids Day, with an Antique and Classic Car Show, and "family fun day" with a BBQ.

These are real Soap Box Car races (e.g., cars the kids ride inside unlike Pinewood Derby). The race is for kids from 7-17, and this year again is open to all in the area to participate. Last year, there were 123 kids registered to race, and a race was completed every 1.8 minutes for 4+ hours.

Everyone is invited to attend, and the community is invited to participate as well in both the Soap Box Derby as well as the car show.

Event Date:
Sunday, April 19, 2008
Event open: 11am - 3pm
Races: 11am - approx. 3pm
Car Show: 11am-1:30pm

Location:
Farmers Insurance Building Parking Lot
Opposite City of Westlake Village City Hall
31051 Agoura Road, Westlake Village

An event like this cannot happen without the generous support of our sponsors, including:

• City of Westlake Village
• Farmers Insurance Group
• Milestone Car Society of California
  

For more information, contact the Triunfo YMCA at 818-707-YMCA, or see pictures of last year's event, get more information, or register to drive in Soap Box Races at the Soap Box web site.

And, anyone that wants to build a soap box car and race, should look at the above web page for information on kits, forms, etc... and should register here.

For those that would like to take part in the Antique and Classic Car Show, please register here.

Neil Ticktin
Chairman
Soap Box Derby

Extra copies of NESA Eagletter?

Does anyone have extra copies of NESA Eagletter 2008 Vol 34 Number 3 (Winter 2008) edition that they might not want to keep?

My sons and I are pictured on this edition and I want to have some extra copies...

The cover of this edition has the 2008 Scholarship Recipients and our picture is under the "Eagle Scouting is a Family Affair" section.

Thanks a bunch!

-Jocelyn

March 28, 2009 - Triple Clays Fun Shoot

Triple Clays Fun Shoot

Benefiting the Boy Scouts of America

March 28, 2009 - Register at 7 am

Event Location:
Triple B Clays
831 N Rosemead Blvd.
S. El Monte, CA 91733
(626) 579-5201
http://www.triplebclays.com/

Raffles and Door Prize
Breakfast and Lunch
T-shirt and Hat

Event fee is tax deductible less value of goods and services

• Flyer

February 19, 2009 - Lockheed Martin Aerospace Engineering Day

We have received a special invitation to Lockheed Martin during their Engineering Week.

These scouts could do activities such as: wind tunnel tour, sim tour, facilities tour (P791 potential option), Legacy Hall tour, and a variety of speakers and engineering activities.

To qualify, we need the boy's name, address, birth date, and he needs to be a US Citizen.

With only a few slots available we are requesting the following questions be answered to help determine which youth will be attending:

1. What badges and awards, are you working on, or have you worked on in scouting related to engineering and/or aerospace? What did you enjoy the best about it(them)?
2. Outside of Scouting, have you been introduced to aerospace engineering? If so, what did you like best?
3. Why are you interested in aerospace engineering, engineering, and/or aerospace?
4. What is your current rank in Scouting?
5. In school, what grades do you get in Science and Math? What are your overall grades?
6. Do you have anything else you would like to say?
   

Please email all responses to gfortner@bsamail.org

If you make an email response you commit to being available to attend this event on Feb. 19th from 3:30pm-7pm.

All responses due by Feb. 4th at 4pm. Email notifications of the recipients will be Friday, Feb. 6th.

Yours in Scouting,

Glinda Fortner
Antelope Valley District Executive - Boy Scouts of America
42402 10th Street West, Lancaster, CA 93534
(661) 942-0582
(661) 723-1450 fax
(661) 361-9118 cell

Create your own free Scouting certificates

A significant part of Scout ceremonies is recognizing those who have achieved something or extending appreciation for those who have volunteered their time and efforts.

A simple way to do this is to award a certificate that is suitable for framing.

Using this certificate creator, you can now print a wide variety of Scouting-related certificates right from your PC.

There is nothing to buy - just fill out the form and print a custom certificate for your next Scout ceremony.

This is an is an excellent way to honor Scouts and leaders with a nice award for any occasion within your unit.

Emergency Preparedness BSA

Emergency management, emergency preparedness, and disaster services are common throughout the United States—we take care of each other. By whatever name, these activities encompass mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery related to any kind of disaster, whether natural, technological, or national security. Emergency preparedness means being prepared for all kinds of emergencies, able to respond in time of crisis to save lives and property, and to help a community—or even a nation—return to normal life after a disaster occurs.

• General information
• Award pin information
  

LAPD Explorers

The Los Angeles Police Explorer Program was established in 1962, it has been a very successful youth program. It now operates as a "Learning for Life" program out of the Office of Operations, Community Policing and Youth Programs Section. The purpose of the Explorer program is to provide special training to the youth that are preparing themselves for a career in law enforcement.

• More information
  

WLACC Shofar Awards Announced

The Shofar Award of the National Jewish Committee on Scouting, granted through the local council's Jewish Committee on Scouting, recognizes adults for outstanding service in behalf of Jewish youth in the program of the Boy Scouts of America.

The Shofar Award Subcommittee of the Western Los Angeles County Council Jewish Committee on Scouting (WLACC-JCOS) has selected eight adult volunteers this year to receive the Shofar Award, based upon written nominations submitted in their behalf and other information generally available to the subcommittee.

This year, the Shofar Award designees are:

Name	Position	Unit	District
Michael Doland	Assistant Cubmaster	Pack 233	Crescent Bay
Allison Friedman	Troop Committee Chair	Troop 613	Cahuenga
Max Goldberg	District Chairman		Cahuenga
Jean Kline	Troop Committee Chair	Troop 36	Cahuenga
Yitzchok Klutch	Scoutmaster	Troop 613	Cahuenga
Glenn Roeder	Assistant Scoutmaster	Troop 360	Crescent Bay
Claudio Sapir	Assistant Scoutmaster	Troop 36	Cahuenga
Rich Sieger	Cubmaster	Pack 613	Cahuenga

Each of them, in his or her own way, has contributed to the excellence of Jewish Scouting in the Western Los Angeles County Council: in pursuit of new chartered organizations, in sustaining and enriching existing Jewish units, in blending Jewish Scouting into non-Jewish units, in providing religious emblem opportunities to Scouts, in extending Sunday programming regionally to Scouts unable to attend on Saturdays, in support of annual Kinnusim of the WLACC-JCOS, and in so many other ways.

Yasher Koach ("job well done") and Mazel Tov to these fine Scouters.

Yours in Scouting,

David I. Karp
Shofar Award Selection Committee Chair
Western Los Angeles County Council
Jewish Committee on Scouting

April 18-19 and 25-26, 2009 - Tree Planting

This is an opportunity to participate locally in an international effort to improve our environment. Scouts and other young people from France and other countries have been participating in this program. Stephen Redner is a former Scout from Los Angeles. He is the contact person for these events. He is also president of the non-profit Association Pour la Terre headquartered in France.

Harlan Hogue
International Scouting Representative WLACC

• Flyer
  

February 27 - March 1, 2009 - Camp Emerald Bay Arborist Weekend

To: WLACC Scout Troops (Troop level only)
From: John Vrbanac, Program Director
Re: 2009 Camp Emerald Bay Arborist Weekend

Every other year Camp Emerald Bay hosts a volunteer arborist group who comes to the camp and donates their time, energy and expertise in handling the trees at Emerald Bay. This includes cutting down trees deemed to be a safety hazard, trimming trees for health and appearance, and planting new trees.

When the Arborists come they invite scout units to come join them for their work weekend. Western Los Angeles County Council is proud to offer your unit a chance to attend this weekend.

In addition to working with the arborists, your scouts will have an opportunity to participate in the following activities:

• Earn the Forestry Merit Badge
• Participate in a tree-climbing experience using tree-climbing gear
• Arbor education presented by the Western Chapter of the International Society of Arboriculture
• Education on the endemic plant life of Catalina Island presented by the Catalina Island Conservancy
• The First Annual Work Day Luau
  

This year the arborist weekend is being held February 27th - March 1st. Space is limited to 49 participants and is available on a first come, first serve basis. The cost for attending is $50 per person.

We hope you will join us for this exciting event. Please feel free to forward this information to other units that you think may have scouts interested in this opportunity.

John Vrbanac
Program Director
Camp Emerald Bay
(818) 933-0126

Looking for all Vigil members

The 2009 Malibu Lodge Vigil ceremony will be at Camp Jubilee Saturday, March 7 and Sunday, March 8, 2009.

We are attempting to put together a list of all Malibu, Tamet and Walika Vigils. We have a long way to go in accomplishing this goal.

Wimachtendienk Wingolauchsik Witahemui
Tom Gould
Vigil 1978 - Wunita
2009 Malibu Vigil Advisor
tomgould@earthlink.net

Globetrotters tickets

We have 4 tickets available for the Harlem Globetrotters for February 15th. They are in the 118 section, which are great seats. Tickets are only $26 each, normal price is $40 - $70. This is one heck of a deal! Plus these tickets allow you and your Scout to attend the Globetrotter University and get a patch.

If you are interested, email me. We prefer to sell them as a set of 4, first come first served. Only 4 tickets are available.

Free Pinewood Derby Track

Pack 577 in Saugus finally purchased a new Derby Track to replace a 30 year old wood track. It still works fine but needs care. If anyone knows of another Pack that needs a track, please contact:

John Rochford
Cubmaster
Pack 577
(661) 297-3141

March 2, 2009 - LAFD Appreciation Night

The men and women of the Los Angeles Fire Department and their families invite you to join them for LAFD Appreciation Night, when the Los Angeles Clippers face the San Antonio Spurs at world famous Staples Center.

In a special video welcome, Shannon, Whitney and Nikki from the Clippers Spirit Dance Team highlight the importance of this special night...

So plan on joining us Monday, March 2, 2009 for a fun family event, benefiting the Widows, Orphans and Disabled Firemen's Fund.

Discount seating is available on-line now or by calling (213) 763-4618.

Will you help us by posting an event flyer?

Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

January 30, 2009 - Seussical

Metropolitan Educational Theater Network is proud to present a Fun-tastical Musical based on the books of Dr. Seuss

Seussical the Musical

Directed by Alison Bretches

Join the Cat in the Hat, Horton the Elephant, Gertrude McFuzz, the Whos, and other well-know and beloved characters. Watch as they leap out of the vivid imagination of Dr. Seuss and onto the stage of

The Plaza Del Sol Performing Arts Center
California State University, Northridge campus

Imagine a world where anything is possible – an elephant in a tree, a person too tiny to see, a heroic child, and dreams running wild! Seussical creates the witty, wild, and whimsical world of Dr. Seuss as it has never been seen before.

With recent budget cuts in the arts, it is important we find quality programs that will continue to engage our young people in the creative process. MET2 is proud to be serving the San Fernando Valley for over 20 years.

The True Educational Theatre Company Designed and Directed by Educators.

Special Discount Performances for Scout Troops and Cub Packs
Ticket Price: $14.00
Friday, January 30, 2009 7:30 pm

Call regarding other available dates and times for Scouts.
For Reservations, Please Call (818) 892-2959
Inquire into backstage tours for Scout groups!

Thomas Zachariah's Eagle Project

Dear Friends and Generous Contributors,

I am Thomas Zachariah, a Boy Scout of Troop 10 in Reseda. I am currently leading a community service project that will benefit the patients of Children's Hospital of Los Angeles. By the request of the hospital, I will be creating personal, portable, light, and easy-to use art desks for the patients. However, because the hospital must maintain a sterile environment, the desks must be made of a special acrylic plastic called Plexiglas. Due to the costs of the professional help that will be required to make the desks, and art supplies that I will also be donating, overall costs for the project will be around $3,000. To achieve these ends I kindly request your help in funding this effort. The estimated cost per child is $120 which would cover the costs for a desk and a set of art supplies. You may sponsor one or more patients' materials, or make a donation for an amount of your choice. Every donation is tax deductible and highly appreciated. If you have any questions, please email me at tipzeem@yahoo.com or call me at (818) 888-3368. Thank you for your time and generosity.

• Donation form
  

August 14-23, 2009 - Troop 99 trip to China

Troop 99 is organizing a trip to China for 10 days. Please see the itinerary and payment schedule. Please contact Sue Lin of Travel Unlimited or John Overton, Soutmaster Troop 99, to sign up and get any questions answered. We leave Aug 14, 2009 and return Aug 23, 2009.

February 20-21, 2009 - Las Colinas District Training

Intro to Outdoor Leader Skills, Webelos Leader Outdoor and BALOO Training

Presented by the Las Colinas District

Friday and Saturday, Feb 20th and 21st, 2009
(6:00 P.M. Fri. to approx. 8:30 P.M. Sat.)
at Camp Josepho
3000 Rustic Canyon Road, Pacific Palisades, CA

Who should attend: Scout Leaders, Webelos Leaders, Cub Scout Leaders

Cost:

• $40 for Intro to Outdoor Leader Skills
• $40 for Webelos Leader Outdoor Training
• $20 for BALOO Training
  

(If signing up for both Webelos Leader Outdoor and BALOO, the cost is only $40 for both.)

What to bring: A list will be mailed to you upon registration.

Please pre-register no later than Friday, February 13, 2009!

Questions: John Overton at john.overton@pwr.utc.com or (818) 620-1001

• Pre-registration form

January 31 - February 1, 2009 - Troop 10 Webelos campout and achievement camp

Calling all Webelos:

Troop 10 is having a Webelos campout and achievement camp

When: Jan. 31

Opening flag ceremony 10:00 am

Where: Malibu Creek State Park

Who: Open to all Webelos Is and IIs and their families

What better way is there to check out a Troop than a campout? Meet the Scouts and see if Troop 10 is right for you. If you have achievements to need to finish for your Arrow of Light or Webelos badge, let us know and we will add that activity to our day.

Lots of activities are planned for Saturday. Dinner will be provided Saturday night as well as breakfast Sunday morning. Please bring a bag lunch and your own snacks and beverages for Saturday.

This is a great chance for Webelos to get their outing achievement taken care of, as well as for parents to meet the Scouts and adult leaders of a prospective troop. There is no cost for Webelos and their families. To sign up, please contact Leo Clarke at Troop 10.

Not sure if you want to commit to a campout? Come by any regular Troop 10 meeting for more information. Troop 10 meets every Monday at 7:00pm at the First United Methodist Church on the Southwest corner of Lindley and Saticoy, enter parking lot on Lindley. Webelos and parents are welcome.

I know Sunday is Super Bowl Sunday but we will be done early and home in plenty of time to get ready for the game.

January through April 2009 - Climbing Instructor class

Here is Climbing Instructor Class information for the Verdugo Hills and West Los Angeles Councils. This is open to all registered Scout adults in the Verdugo Hills and WLA area councils. I need 5-12 students to teach this class.

The cost is $60 which includes: books, materials, and belay training. It does NOT include 1 day Rock Training or 2 days Student led trip to Josh.

Classroom sessions 1 will be on Wed 1/21, class 2-5 will be on Thurs night 7pm - 10pm (maybe till 10:30), on: 1/29, 2/5, 2/12, 2/19, (3/5 is a backup date). The location is the LAAC Scout HQ off the 101 at Alvarado.

Session 6 Belay Class will be at the LA Rocks (indoor gym) in Hawthorne or REI Manhattan Beach on 2/26. (cost is included in my charge)

Session 7 Rock Training at Stoney Point will be 3/7 OR 3/8, it's up to the students.

Session 8 Student led trip to Joshua Tree Indian Cove with their Troop, 3/14-15 or 4/11-12 or 4/25-26, it's up to the students to plan and execute.

• Session 1: (3 hours)
  
  
  • Introduction
  • Chapter 1 - Standards and Inspections
  • Chapter 2 - Safety and Leadership
  • Chapter 3 - Equipment
  • Practical: Intro to Knots (figure 8), "climb on safely" certification
    

• Session 2: (3 hours)
  
  
  • Chapter 3 - Equipment (continued)
  • Chapter 4 - Rope and Rope Handling
  • Chapter 5 - Knots and Knot Tying
  • Chapter 6 - Anchor Points and Anchor Systems
  • Practical: Fig 8 follow thru, 8 on a bight, tubular webbing water knot
    

• Session 3: (3 hours)
  
  
  • Chapter 7 - Belaying and Belay Signals
  • Chapter 8 - Climbing and Bouldering
  • Practical: tied harness, anchors, commands
    

• Session 4: (3 hours)
  
  
  • Chapter 9 - Rappeling
  • Chapter 10 - Site Selection
  • Chapter 11 - Conducting a climbing / rappelling program
  • Practical: fishermans knot, rescue knots , anchors, commands
    

• Session 5: (3 hours)
  
  
  • Emergency Response, rescues, and first aid
  • Staffing and instructor training
  • Final exam
  • Practical: Z pulley system
    

• Session 6: (2-3 hours)
  
  
  • Belay Class at rock gym

• Session 7: (8 hours)
  
  
  • 1 day on the rock training

• Session 8:
  
  
  • Your troop weekend outing

Allan Slocum
(310) 384-7522

Order of the Arrow update

Happy New Year!

This is going to be another great year for the OA. The Lodge is working on several great events this year, plus 2009 is NOAC (National Order of the Arrow Conference) Year to be held at Indiana University.

Also, if you haven't heard the news yet... one of our Arrowmen from our chapter, Jordan Orlick, was recently elected and installed as the 2009 Malibu Lodge Chief. A hearty congratulations to him and to our chapter!

Jordan will be at this Thursday's Achoicominga Chapter meeting to talk about NOAC, the Lodge, meet you and answer questions you may have about the OA.

Our chapter Chief Gregory Trenk has been busy preparing a list of possible activities for our chapter this year to discuss at the meeting, including a chapter camping trip.

Hoping to see you at the meeting.

All the best scouting wishes for a great New Year,

Jonathan Orlick
Achoicominga Chapter Advisor

Eagle Scout / Gold Award Congressional recognition letters

Congressman Dennis Moore (Kansas) can issue a letter of recognition for any new Eagle Scout or Gold Award recipient.

If you would like a letter of recognition for a recent Eagle Scout or Gold Award recipient, please contact our office by calling (913) 383-2013 and provide the following information:

• Name of Eagle Scout / Gold Award Recipient
• Address
• Date of the ceremony
• Name, address and phone number of the person to receive the certificate (often the Scout Master)

Disaster planning for your pets

Greetings,

As many of you know, my family was affected by the recent fires.

We were personally not prepared for a fire, however we were prepared and had stored in a "Mega Bin" all the essentials in case of an earthquake.

One of the things that we did not take into consideration in our earthquake survival bin were supplies for our animal family.

This web site focuses solely on pet essentials in case of a disaster.

When we evacuated, it was easy to get our dog out quickly and put her in the car, but we could not find our cat for several days and did not know if she was in the house at the time or not.

Fortunately, we got her back after three long days of sadness and uncertainty of her whereabouts.

We also did not have the basic provisions for our dog like her bowl, food, leash and grooming supplies, or any medication that she needed.

I can say from experience that our dog did go through her own traumatic experience, as she did not stop breathing (panting) heavily for three days, and was in fact very stressed, just as we as humans were.

If you have pets, please visit this site to educate yourselves on how to prepare your survival kit for your pet(s).

It's one thing to Be Prepared for yourselves and another for your pets.

Pets offer families unconditional love and attention - something we as humans sometimes forget we need to give to one another as humans.

I wish I had taken our pets needs into consideration when we assembled our earthquake bin, as it would have made it easier for us to provide the same comfort to them as we did for ourselves.

If you don't already have a disaster preparedness plan and Survival Bin in place, simply remember the Scout motto of Being Prepared.

Hope this helps should a disaster occur in the future.

Forever a Scout
Les Salay
Cub/Troop Master - Unit 921
Unit Commissioner
scoutingus@aol.com